1 posts categorized "Commit to the Indian"

January 29, 2008

The Blackhawks practiced in Denver today in preparation for their game against the Avalanche on Wednesday night. Monday's practice in Bensenville was long and spirited and the media crowded the dressing room afterward to find out if the team had gotten coach Denis Savard's message about re-committing that he delivered in a six-minute rant following Thursday night's 1-0 defeat to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

"I think he got it across pretty good and pretty clear," defenseman Brent Seabrook said.

So it seems the players got the message. Well, most of them anyway.

He's a verbatim interview I did with winger Tuomo Ruutu following Monday's practice. Ruutu hasn't scored in 20 games and could be one of the players Savard was talking about when he said some were happy to sign big contracts but haven't been willing to pay the price to score goals and win. Savard, however, has in the past praised Ruutu's work ethic:

Kuc: "Did Denis' message from the other night get through to the team you think today?"

Ruutu: "What message?"

Kuc: "About how he questioned the commitment of some of the players and said you guys needed to work harder."

Ruutu: "Where was that at?"

Kuc: "He said that after the game on Thursday night."

Ruutu: "Oh, I mean, I don't watch those postgame interviews and I don't read the newspapers so I didn't even know what's going on."

Kuc: "He said that he thought some of the players weren't committed to scoring goals and paying the price. You aren't seeing any of that?"

Ruutu: "It's tough for me to say anything because I didn't see the interview so I have no idea what you're talking about. I don't know. I don't know. You have to ask him."

About this blog

I do remember the roar. And I remember my first Blackhawks game. I grew up in the western suburbs and my father took me to Chicago Stadium on Feb. 20, 1980 when Tony Esposito and the Hawks downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2.

My most vivid memories of the night are Esposito taking a slap shot to the head and collapsing, sending the crowd of 9,322 into a stunned silence. After a few minutes the Hall of Fame goaltender stood up, received a standing ovation and finished the game.

It was also the night the United States Olympic hockey team defeated West Germany 4-2 en route to a meeting with the Soviet Union and an eventual gold medal. When the score was announced the crowd broke into a chant of "USA! USA!" How could I not get hooked on hockey?

I started working at the Tribune while still in high school at Hinsdale South and I've been a copy editor, page designer, high school sports editor and now a beat reporter for an Original Six team. What a strange trip, indeed.

There's no truth to the rumor I bought a condo in the West Loop so I can take the No. 20 bus to work, but it does help make the commute to the United Center rather short.